"April 6th was the day when Southcare opened its doors for the first time to the people of South Perth. It was the beginning of the visible presence of caring people within the community. It was the realisation of the dreams and ideas that a great variety of people had held for almost a decade" (Southcare 1982, The Story of a Community that Cared, by Audrey Francis).

For some time a group of concerned citizens form various local churches had been assisting residents of the Homeswest housing area in Karawara. Assistance and support was given in the form of food parcels, clothing and blankets. The group worked together to gain funding and establish community services. Thus began Southcare.

Southcare became incorporated as a community support agency on the 10th November 1982. The agency is motivated by Christian caring and modelled on Christian principles.

Volunteer services for frail aged were instigated in 1983 after a local doctor sought assistance for an elderly patient living alone on the upper floor of a block of flats. The loneliness and social isolation of many frail aged people was recognised. The idea of bringing them together as a group to share morning tea and companionship was discussed. Volunteers were trained in skills required to work with the frail aged. This was the beginning of Southcare's New Horizons Day Centre Program.

In 1984, a grant of $5000 was obtained from the Public Health Department to establish a Home Support Service. Volunteers had expressed their concern about the plight of elderly people living alone and finding themselves progressively incapable of coping as well as experiencing acute loneliness. At the same time they did not wish to relinquish their independence and be confined to a nursing home. Initially the services offered were gardening, transport, minor repairs and visiting.